Vehicular information providing device

ABSTRACT

Audio information providing means estimated to be mounted at an increasing ratio on a vehicle, and a vehicular information providing device enabled to satisfy the tastes of a user by applying a customize mode. Control means  201  has a customize mode, in which various kinds of setting of specifications relating to audio information of a speaker (or audio information providing means)  230  for providing a user with vehicular information are registered. Input means  211  sets the contents of said various kinds of setting in the customize mode. Second storage means (or storage means)  204  registers the contents of the various kinds of setting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicular information providingdevice for providing a user with various kinds of information by usingaudio information and, more particularly, to a vehicular informationproviding device capable of customizing the audio information accordingto the tastes of the user.

BACKGROUND ART

A known vehicular information providing device is disclosed in PatentPublication 1, for example. The vehicular information providing deviceof this kind includes display means (or visual information providingmeans) and voice output means (or audio information providing means).The display means displays visual information such as ordinaryinformation including a covered distance value, or a residual fuel levelor a time, and predetermined warning information, and the voice outputmeans outputs emergent information or information, which may invitemisunderstanding with visual information, as audio information.

[Patent Publication 1] JP-A-9-66783

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The vehicular information providing device thus far described providesthe user with various kinds of information in combination of the visualinformation and the audio information, and has been improved in theusability for the user. Especially as the audio information, however,the users have different tastes. It is, therefore, desired to customizethe voice generating means for generating the audio information. Inaccordance with this customization, there has been desired a vehicularinformation providing device, in which the usability of the voice outputmeans for issuing the audio information or the vehicular information isimproved in accordance with that customization thereby to provideexcellent conveniences.

Noting the problems thus far described, the invention contemplates toprovide a vehicular information providing device comprising audioinformation providing means estimated to be mounted in the future at anincreasing ratio on a vehicle. The vehicular information providingdevice is improved in conveniences by realizing customization of theaudio information providing means for issuing audio informationcontaining at least vehicular information thereby to improve theusability of the audio information providing means.

In order to solve the problems thus far described, according to claim 1,there is provided a vehicular information providing device comprising:control means having a customize mode, in which various kinds of settingof specifications relating to audio information of audio informationproviding means for providing a user with the audio informationcontaining at least vehicular information are registered; input meansfor determining the contents of the various kinds of setting in thecustomize mode; and storage means for registering the contents of thevarious kinds of setting.

In the vehicular information providing device of claim 1, according toclaim 2, the contents of the various kinds of setting contain an item ofwhether or not the vehicular information providing means is to beemployed.

In the vehicular information providing device of claim 1, according toclaim 3, the contents of the various kinds of setting are stored in thestorage means as a first audio information output item classified inplurality.

In the vehicular information providing device of claim 3, according toclaim 4, the contents of the various kinds of setting have a secondaudio information output item accompanying the first audio informationoutput item.

In the vehicular information providing device of claim 1, according toclaim 5, the contents of the various kinds of setting contain an item onwhether or not the volume of an audio device mounted on a vehicle iscut, or whether or not the volume of the audio device is reduced, whenthe audio information providing means outputs the audio information.

In the vehicular information providing device of claim 1, according toclaim 6, the contents of the various kinds of setting contain an itemfor selecting the kinds of a voice.

In the vehicular information providing device of any of claims 1 to 6,according to claim 7, the contents of the various kinds of setting areso registered in the storage means that identification information byuser recognition means for recognizing the user and the contents of thevarious kinds of setting are registered in a related state in thestorage means.

In the vehicular information providing device of any of claims 1 to 7,according to claim 8, the vehicular information providing device furthercomprises display means for enabling displaying the contents of thevarious kinds of setting.

In the vehicular information providing device utilizing the audioinformation providing means, according to the invention, the customizeregistration of the audio information providing means according to thetastes of the user can be executed to satisfy the demands of the userhaving various tastes thereby to improve the conveniences of thevehicular information providing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch view of a vehicular information providing device ofan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicular information providing deviceof the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a customize mode of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another customize mode of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another customize mode of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another customize mode of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another customize mode of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a table of a stored state of the customize mode of theembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a table of a stored state of another customize mode of theembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a table of a stored state of another customize mode of theembodiment.

FIG. 11 presents diagrams showing other customize modes of theembodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is described in the following withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sketch view of one example of a vehicular informationproviding device. A vehicular information providing device 100 is avehicular meter provided with a display unit (or display means) 101having a liquid crystal display panel such as a TFT or an organic ELpanel for displaying various kinds of information, a tachometer 102, afuel meter 103 and a thermometer 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicular information providing device100 of FIG. 1. This device is configured to comprise: a customize modeterminal (or customize setting means) 210 for shifting the vehicularinformation providing device 100 into a customize mode; input means 211for setting various contents in the execution of the customize mode; avehicular information terminal 212 and multiplex communicationinput/output means 213 for inputting/outputting vehicular information;vehicular interface (I/F) means 202; control means 201 for controllingthe vehicular information providing device 100; first storage means 203made of a ROM or the like for storing a processing program; secondstorage means 204 made of an EEPROM, a flash memory or the like forregistering various kinds of setting made by the input means 211; thedisplay unit 101 for displaying various kinds of information; drivemeans 205 for controlling the display of the display unit 101 and thedrives of the various analog meters 102, 103 and 104; sound/voicesynthesizing means 206 for reproducing sounds/voices; an amplifier 207for amplifying the output signal (i.e., the sound/voice output signal)from the sound/voice synthesizing means 206; and an output terminal 214for outputting an amplified signal from the amplifier 207.

With the vehicular information providing device 100, on the other hand,there are connected a keyless entry device (including a transmitter 221and a receiver 222) 220 acting as user identifying means, an airconditioner (or air-con) 223 for managing the air condition of thevehicle, and an audio (or an audio device) 224 via a multiplexcommunication line 225. Moreover, a speaker (or audio informationproviding means) 230 is connected with the audio 224. On the other hand,the speaker 230 outputs not only sounds/voices accompanying the outputsignal from the audio 224 but also sounds/voices with the amplifiedsignal from the output terminal 214 of the vehicular informationproviding device 100.

Here, the control means 201 is enabled via the multiplex communicationline 225 to instruct the audio 224 to make the volume to a predeterminedvalue or lower or to cut the volume of the audio 224.

Next, the customize mode is described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG.10. FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 show the contents of various kinds of setting,which are displayed in the display unit 101 when the vehicularinformation providing device 100 is shifted into the customize mode.FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 show the registered states of the contents of thevarious kinds of setting, which are registered in the customize mode bythe second storage means 204. In FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, circles designatethe case, in which the mode “USE” is selected, and crosses designate thecase, in which the mode “NOT USE” is selected.

The user of the vehicle operates the customize mode terminal 210 fromthe outside to instruct the control means 201 a shift to the customizemode owned beforehand by the control means 201. Specifically, when theterminal having the ordinary potential at the “high” level of thecustomize mode terminal 210 is changed to the “low” level by apredetermined operation of a switch or the like, the change can berecognized by the control means 201. At the shift to the customize mode,the control means 201 executes the processing through the drive means205 to switch the display unit 101 from the ordinary display to aninitial screen 300 in the customize mode, as shown in FIG. 3.

In the initial screen 300, the user selects it through the input means211 whether or not the “audio information output” or the audioinformation output item (1) by the speaker 230 is employed (that is,whether or not the voice output by the speaker 230 is to be made) Whenthe mode “USE” is selected by the user, for example, the control means201 specifies the ID code (or ID information) of the user using thevehicle through the keyless entry device 220 (it is assumed here thatthe ID1 is attained as the ID code), and causes the set contents in thearea corresponding to the ID code of the second storage means 204 (asindicated at 204 a in FIG. 8).

Here is described another initial screen 301 in the customize mode. Whenthe shift is made to the customize mode, the control means 201 executesthe processing to switch the display unit 101 through the drive means205 from the ordinary display to the initial screen 301 of the customizemode, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the initial screen 301, the user selects whether or not the audioinformation output in the speaker 230 is to be employed for every audioinformation output items (i.e., the first audio information outputitems) (1) to (3) stored in the second storage means 204 in the stateclassified beforehand in plurality through the input means 211. Thegreeting of the audio information output item (1) belongs to aclassification concerning the greeting such as an opening (at the timeof starting the engine or opening the door) and an ending (at the timeof stopping the engine or switching off the vehicular key). The warningA of the audio information output item (2) belongs to a classificationconcerning the warning contents such as a residual fuel level or ashortage of the tire air pressure, which relates directly to the run ofthe vehicle. The warning B of the audio information output item (3)belongs to a classification concerning the warning contents such as akey reminder or a light reminder, which does not relate directly to therun of the vehicle. If the mode “USE” is selected by the user on theindividual audio information output items (1) to (3), for example, thecontrol means 201 specifies the ID code of the user using the vehiclethrough the keyless entry device 220 (it is here assumed that the ID1 isattained as the ID code), and stores the set contents in the areacorresponding to the ID code of the second storage means 204 (asindicated at 204 b in FIG. 9).

Here is described still another initial screen 302 in the customizemode. When the shift is made to the customize mode, the control means201 executes the processing to switch the display unit 101 through thedrive means 205 from the ordinary display to the initial screen 302 ofthe customize mode, as shown in FIG. 5.

In the initial screen 302, the user selects whether or not the audioinformation output in the speaker 230 is to be employed for every firstaudio information output items (1) to (3) stored in the second storagemeans 204 in the state classified beforehand in plurality through theinput means 211, and for every second audio information output items aand b accompanying those individual first audio information output items(1) to (3). The “greeting” or the first audio information output item(1) contains the second audio information output item a or the “opening(at the time of starting the engine or opening the door)”, the secondaudio information output item b or the “ending (at the time of stoppingthe engine or switching off the vehicular key)” and so on. Moreover, the“warning A” relating directly to the run of the vehicle or the secondaudio information output item (2) contains the second audio informationoutput item a or the “residual fuel level warning”, the second audioinformation output item b or the “tire air pressure shortage warning”and so on. The “warning B” having no direct relation to the run of thevehicle or the first audio information output item (3) contains the “keyreminder warning” or the second audio information output item a or the“light reminder warning” or the second audio information output item b.If the mode “USE” is selected by the user on all the accompanyingindividual second audio information output items a and b of the firstindividual audio information output items (1) to (3), for example, thecontrol means 201 specifies the ID code of the user using the vehiclethrough the keyless entry device 220 (it is here assumed that the ID1 isattained as the ID code), and stores the individual set contents in thearea corresponding to the ID code of the second storage means 204 (asindicated at 204 c in FIG. 10).

Here is described still another initial screen 303 in the customizemode. When the shift is made to the customize mode, the control means201 executes the processing to switch the display unit 101 through thedrive means 205 from the ordinary display to the initial screen 303 ofthe customize mode, as shown in FIG. 6.

In the initial screen 303, the user selects whether or not the audioinformation output in the speaker 230 is to be employed for every audioinformation output items (1) and (2) stored in the second storage means204 in the state classified beforehand in plurality through the inputmeans 211. In every audio information output items (1), it is selectedin case the audio information is outputted whether or not the volume ofthe audio 224 is to be muted (or reduced). In every audio informationoutput items (2), the kind of the voice in the voice output is selected.Here, either a man voice or a woman voice is selected.

This vehicular information providing device 100 can also customize thevisual information. FIG. 7 shows an initial screen 304 showing oneexample of the customize mode in the visual information. In the initialscreen 304, the warning display is set in the vehicular informationoutput item (1) concerning the entire warning display. When a warning isgenerated by the vehicular information from the vehicular informationterminal 212, it is selected to switch the “ALWAYS DISPLAY” of thedisplay till the cause is solved or the “REDUCED DISPLAY” after lapse ofa predetermined time period. The visual information in the customizemode set here is stored, like the audio information shown in FIG. 8 toFIG. 10, as to the individual set contents in the area corresponding tothe ID code of the second storage means 204, such that it is related tothe ID code of the keyless entry device 220 for specifying the user.

Here, the ID code of the user used in the aforementioned processing isrecognized through the keyless entry device 220 before it shifts to thecustomize mode. Another configuration may also be made to demand againthe ID code of the user after the shift to the customize mode.

The specific actions of the customize mode are described in thefollowing. FIG. 11 presents the screens of the display unit 101 in thenormal run of the vehicle and the screens of the display unit 101 whenthe audio information is outputted by the control means 201.

The control means 201 specifies the ID code of the user using thevehicle (it is assumed here that the ID1 is gained as the ID code)through the keyless entry device 220, and reads beforehand the customizeinformation ((1) GREETING, (2) WARNING A, (3) WARNING B, and “USE” theaudio output) corresponding to the ID code ID1 (as referred to 204 b ofFIG. 9) from the second storage means 204.

Since the mode “USE” is set in the customize mode of the greeting, thecontrol means 201 decides the presence or absence of the signal ON ofthe ignition key through the vehicular information terminal 212. Thecontrol means 201 displays, when it detects the signal ON of theignition key, a screen 400 “GOOD MORNING” in the display unit 101 (FIG.11(a)) so as to display the greeting to the display unit 101, andexecutes the voice output processing to output the voice “GOOD MORNING”.

The control means 201 causes the display unit 101 to display an ordinarydisplay screen 401 at the ordinary run of the vehicle (FIG. 11(b)), andit is assumed that the ordinary display screen 401 displays a shiftindicator (PRND432) and a vehicle speed (40 km/h).

Since the “USE” is set in the customize mode relating to the warning A,the control means 201 decides the presence or absence of the occurrenceof the warning A at the running time of the vehicle though the vehicularinformation terminal 212. Here, the control means 201 causes, when itdetects that the fuel remainder becomes short of a predetermined amount,the display unit 101 to display a warning screen 402 “DISTANCE TOTRAVEL: 50 km, REFUEL” in the display unit 101 (FIG. 11(c)), andexecutes the voice output processing so that the speaker 230 may outputthe voice “REFUEL”.

Since the “USE” is set in the customize mode relating to the warning B,the control means 201 decides the presence or absence of the occurrenceof the warning B through the vehicular information terminal 212. Here,the control means 201 executes, when it detects that the door on thedriver (or user) side is opened with the key being inserted while thevehicular engines being stopped, the voice output processing to causethe speaker 230 to output the voice “REMOVE KEY” (FIG. 11(d)).

The vehicular information providing device 100 comprises: the controlmeans 201 having the customize mode for registering the contents ofvarious kinds of setting of the specifications on the audio informationof the speaker 230 to provide the user with the vehicular informationwith the audio information; the input means 211 for determining thecontents of the various kinds of setting in the customize mode; andstorage means 204 for registering the contents of the various kinds ofsetting. It is possible to perform a customized registration of thespecifications on the audio information of at least the speaker 230 ofthe vehicular information providing device according to the tastes ofthe user of the vehicle, to satisfy the demand of the user havingvarious tastes, and to improve the usability of the speaker 230 or theaudio information providing means of the vehicular information providingdevice 100 thereby to enhance the using frequency of the audioinformation from the speaker 230. Thus, it is possible to provide thevehicular information providing device excellent in conveniences. It isfurther possible to improve the marketability of the vehicularinformation providing device 100.

Moreover, the various kinds of setting of the audio information containthe setting of whether or not the audio information by the speaker 230is to be notified (i.e., whether or not the audio information providingmeans is to be employed), so that the user can select it easilyaccording to the tastes whether or not the notification processing ofthe audio information by the speaker 230 is to be utilized, thereby toimprove the usability of the user.

Moreover, the various kinds of setting on the audio information arestored in the second storage means 204 as the first audio informationoutput items (1) to (3) classified in plurality, so that the selectionof the audio information according to the tastes of the user isfacilitated to enhance the conveniences.

Moreover, the first audio information output items (1) to (3) have thesecond audio information output items a and b accompanying theindividual output items so that the user can select the individualpieces of audio information according to the tastes in more detailthereby to enhance the conveniences more.

Moreover, the various kinds of setting on the audio information containthe setting of whether or not the volume of the audio 224 mounted on thevehicle is to be reduced when the audio information is outputted fromthe speaker 230, so that the user can judge the contents of the audioinformation easily when the warning information is notified as the audioinformation.

Moreover, the various kinds of setting on the audio information containthe selection of the kinds of voice so that the function for the user tocustomize the audio information can be further enhanced.

Moreover, the various kinds of setting on the audio information areregistered in such a state in the second storage means 204 as to relateto the ID code by the keyless entry device 220 for identifying the userand to the contents of the various kinds of setting. It is possible tocustomize and register the specifications on the audio information ofeach user and to store the various kinds of setting of the audioinformation together with the ID code. Therefore, the troublesomeoperations for the user to set at the time riding on the vehicle areeliminated to enhance the conveniences better as the vehicularinformation providing device 100 for issuing the audio information.

Moreover, the display unit 101 for displaying the set contents isprovided so that the various kinds of setting of the audio informationin the customize mode can be viewed to set the audio information easily.

In the foregoing embodiment, the speaker 230 mounted on the vehicle isthe audio information providing means. In the invention, however, thevehicular information providing device 100 may also be provided with adedicated speaker.

In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the audio information providingmeans is configured by the speaker 230. However, the audio informationcan also be easily customized by preparing the audio informationproviding means composed of a buzzer or chime in place of the speaker230 and by setting the tone of the audio information providing meansvariously different.

In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the volume of the audio 224 ismuted in the setting of the customize mode. However, similar effects canbe attained even by cutting the volume of the audio 224 by the setting.

In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the user identifying means isexemplified by the keyless entry device 220. However, the inventionshould not be limited to the keyless entry device 220, but can naturallyemploy a device using a user ID code such as a smart entry devicerequiring no remote control, an immobilizer device for preventing atheft, or a personal identification device for recognizing a fingerprintand the like.

In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the shift to the customize modeemploys the customize mode terminal 210. However, input means may alsobe composed of a group of plural switches of different functions to“switch the ordinary mode and the customize mode”, to “select the setitems”, to “input the set contents”, to “register the set contents” andso on so that the ordinary mode and the customize mode may be switchedaccording to the predetermined input of that input means.

In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the “selection of the set item”and the “registration of the set contents” are performed by apredetermined input to the input means 211 after the shift to thecustomize mode. However, one switch for shifting to the customize modemay also be prepared to perform the shift to the customize mode, and thevarious kinds of setting and the registration in the customize mode.Specifically, a single switch can also be used to “switch the ordinarymode and the customize mode” and to “select the set items” by a pushingoperation of a short time period. For the individual set items, theplural set contents can also be displayed in the display unit 101 byswitching the plural set contents sequentially by a pushing operation ofa short time period, and the set contents can also be registered by apushing operation of a long time period at the instant when the setcontents desired by the user are displayed. By a later pushing operationof a short time period, the shift is made to a next set item. Byrepeating similar operations, the single switch can also be used to“switch the ordinary mode and the customize mode”, to “select the setitem” and to “register the set contents”. For the other operations to“switch the ordinary mode and the customize mode”, to “select the setitem”, to “input the set contents” and to “register the set contents”,voice input means can also be provided for instructing by a voice inputthrough that voice input means.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a vehicular information providingdevice utilizing an audio information providing means, and can beapplied not only to a vehicular meter for displaying vehicularinformation but also to a vehicular information providing device such asa navigation system or a multi-display device to be mounted on avehicle.

1. A vehicular information providing device comprising: control meanshaving a customize mode, in which various kinds of setting ofspecifications relating to audio information of audio informationproviding means for providing a user with the audio informationcontaining at least vehicular information are registered; input meansfor determining the contents of said various kinds of setting in saidcustomize mode; and storage means for registering the contents of saidvarious kinds of setting.
 2. A vehicular information providing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the contents of said various kinds ofsetting contain an item of whether or not said vehicular informationproviding means is to be employed.
 3. A vehicular information providingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the contents of said various kindsof setting are stored in said storage means as a first audio informationoutput item classified in plurality.
 4. A vehicular informationproviding device according to claim 3, wherein the contents of saidvarious kinds of setting have a second audio information output itemaccompanying said first audio information output item.
 5. A vehicularinformation providing device according to claim 1, wherein the contentsof said various kinds of setting contain an item on whether or not thevolume of an audio device mounted on a vehicle is cut, or whether or notthe volume of said audio device is reduced, when said audio informationproviding means outputs said audio information.
 6. A vehicularinformation providing device according to claim 1, wherein the contentsof said various kinds of setting contain an item for selecting the kindsof a voice.
 7. A vehicular information providing device according to anyof claims 1 to 6, wherein the contents of said various kinds of settingare so registered in said storage means that identification informationby user recognition means for recognizing said user and the contents ofsaid various kinds of setting are registered in a related state in saidstorage means.
 8. A vehicular information providing device according toany of claims 1 to 7, further comprising display means for enablingdisplaying the contents of said various kinds of setting.